Health briefs: YVMC seeking volunteers

Yampa Valley Medical Center is seeking caring people to join its volunteer team. There are openings in the following programs: cookie cart, day surgery, front desk at the Outpatient Pavilion and the music program. Those interested in becoming a volunteer or whoi would like to learn about other volunteering opportunities at YVMC, are asked to contact Volunteer Services at 870-1146 or email pam.bosch@yvmc.org.

The community is invited to a discussion about inequities in health services for disabled people who also face challenges related to race, sexual orientation and gender identity. The free event is from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 at Bud Werner Memorial Library. The event will feature a recorded presentation by Lydia X. Z. Brown, past president of TASH New England, chairperson of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and a board member of the Autism Women's Network. A facilitated discussion will follow. Northwest Colorado Health is hosting the presentation in partnership with the Colorado Trust. A light dinner will be provided. Learn more at northwestcoloradohealth.org/events. For more information or to request child care or Spanish translation services, call 970-871-7634.

Free screenings available on Diabetes Alert Day

Northwest Colorado Health is recognizing Diabetes Alert Day by offering free, drop-in cardiovascular and diabetes screenings from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 at Northwest Colorado Health, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101. Diabetes Alert Day highlights the prevalence and prevention of Type 2 diabetes in adults. Nine out of 10 people most at risk for Type 2 diabetes do not know it, according to the American Diabetes Association. Screenings, which include blood glucose test, cholesterol panel, blood pressure and body mass index, can help a person gauge his or her risk for diabetes and take measures to prevent it. Free screenings also are available by appointment. For more information, call 970-879-1632.

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Colorado reports an increase in mumps cases

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is alerting parents and healthcare providers about an increase in mumps cases. The outbreak is currently focused in Denver and Aurora areas. There has been a large increase in mumps cases nationwide, with outbreaks reported in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Washington and Illinois. Mumps is a viral infection that causes painful swelling of salivary glands, a low-grade fever and headache. Some people with mumps have no symptoms.

Two doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella, or MMR, vaccine are recommended for children, with the first dose at age 12 to 15 months and the second dose at age 4 to 6 years. For assistance locating a child's immunization record, contact a healthcare provider or call the Colorado Immunization Information System at 303-692-2437 or 888-611-9918.

People who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are about nine times less likely to contract mumps than unvaccinated people when exposed . Two doses are recommended for adults at increased risk, such as students in college, trade school, and training programs, international travelers and health care professionals. For more information about mumps vaccine, visit vaccines.gov/diseases/mumps. Contact a health care provider if to schedule MMR immunization. Northwest Colorado Health offers all routine and recommended vaccines, including travel vaccines. To make an appointment, call 970-879-1632.